[Dixielandjazz] Re: Grover Mitchell and the Count Basie Orchestra - a review

[Dan Aldag]

The version of this story that I've heard is that Basie went to a small
group (6-9 pieces) in 1950. Basie didn't hire Green, but he showed up anyway
the first night the new band played. When Basie asked him what he was doing
there, Green replied something like, "You're playing tonight, right?" Basie
shrugged and added Green to the payroll. I believe Basie reformed the big
band in '52.

Ellington connection: Clark Terry played in that Basie small group.

All the best,

Dan
--
Dan Aldag, Visiting Assistant Professor
Dept. of Music, Humboldt State University
1 Harpst Street
Arcata, CA 95521
(707)826-5447



Marcus Girvan wrote:

> There is something of an anomaly here as I understood that Basie
> disbanded in the late forties and was playing solo piano until Freddie
> Green came and sat down and told him he wasn't going anywhere without
> him. I am not well up on Basie and can't remember where I read this.
> Can someone confirm or rebut?
>
> Marcus
>
> On Tuesday, Oct 21, 2003, at 17:12 Europe/London, Richard Broadie wrote:
>
> > Palm Springs, CA October 21, 2003
> ...
> >
> > I was talking to three of the musicians after the gig and asked "How
> > long
> > has this band been together?"  They grinned and in unison said, "Oh
> > since
> > about 1935."   I said "Since the Benny Moten days?"   They nodded their
> > heads in agreement.
> ...
> > Dick Broadie
> >
> >